Merle R. Zehr Obituary (1930 - 2020)

Merle Russel Zehr, 89, of Pontiac, passed away Monday, February 3, 2020, at 3:15 p.m. at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington. His service will be held Friday, February 7, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Graymont with Pastors Noah Porzelius and Russell Zehr officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Rooks Creek Cemetery in Rooks Creek, IL. Visitation will be Thursday, February 6, 2020, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home in Pontiac. Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home, Pontiac, is in charge of arrangements. Merle was born November 10, 1930, in Flanagan, IL to Lester and Mae (Frobish) Zehr. He married Mary Louise Hopkins on November 20, 1955 in Walnut, IL. She passed away November 15, 2013. He is survived by his children, Glenn (Jan) Zehr of Pontiac, IL, Mark (Kathy) Zehr of Chenoa, IL, Sandra (Shelby) Hoerner of Graymont, IL, Brenda (Gary) Collins of Flanagan, IL, and Gloria Zehr of Pontiac, IL; grandchildren, Lesley Hoerner, Sarah Hoerner, Jessica (Clay Chipman) Collins, Ryan (Jordy) Collins, Matt (Kaitlyn) Zehr, and Jesse (Crystal) Geiger; and great grandchild, Rylee Collins. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary; brother, Donald Zehr; sister, June Follmer; and brother-in-law, Chuck Follmer. Merle graduated from Johnson Grade School in Rooks Creek and from Flanagan High School, Class of 1948. He served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953. He was first stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and later at Fort Whittier in Alaska. He was a lifelong farmer and owner/operator of Zehr Trucking. He sold for Pioneer Seed for 35 years and raised Hampshire hogs. He also served as the Rooks Creek Road Commissioner. Merle was a prior member of Flanagan Mennonite and attended First Baptist Church in Graymont for over 70 years. He was member of the Pinochle Club since 1954 and enjoyed playing cards with friends, especially six-handed Euchre. He was a member of the American Legion, Pontiac VFW, Farm Bureau, and the Moose. He was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan. He enjoyed traveling to Canada to go fishing every summer since 2001 and loved to follow his grandchildrens events. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 201 Main Street, Graymont, IL 61743. Online condolences may be made to the family at duffyfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.